China vs SDG: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)

China
60.67 million
in 2024
SDG: World
268.57 million
in 2024
China rank
1st
SDG: World rank
1st

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) over time

  • China
  • SDG: World
0100.0M200.0M300.0M197019972024

How they compare

SDG: World currently reports 268.57 million against 60.67 million in China, a difference of 207.90 million.

That makes SDG: World's figure about 4.4 times China's.

Across all 55 years both countries report, SDG: World has been ahead every year.

China ranks 1st and SDG: World ranks 1st of 200 countries.

SDG: World has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade China SDG: World Difference Ahead
1970s 389,565 48.48 million 48.09 million SDG: World
1980s 2.66 million 61.47 million 58.80 million SDG: World
1990s 4.88 million 83.51 million 78.63 million SDG: World
2000s 18.75 million 138.53 million 119.78 million SDG: World
2010s 39.43 million 210.49 million 171.06 million SDG: World
2020s 56.26 million 255.38 million 199.12 million SDG: World

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), China or SDG: World?
SDG: World, at 268.57 million against 60.67 million in China as of 2024.
What is the difference in enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) between China and SDG: World?
207.90 million, with SDG: World ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for China and SDG: World?
55 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2024.
How do China and SDG: World rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
China ranks 1st and SDG: World ranks 1st of 200 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Statizoid (derived), published as Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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China vs SDG: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 04 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled/china/sdg-world/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
421 places, 19,011 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.